cyu5杼
Definition
Shuttle of a loom; also used to describe something thin or long-headed.
- shuttle of a loom
- thin; narrow; long-headed
How it's used
This character is primarily a literary term used to describe objects that are long and narrow, resembling a weaving shuttle. In modern spoken Cantonese, it is rarely used as a noun and almost exclusively appears in descriptive similes to emphasize extreme thinness or an elongated shape. It carries a slightly formal or classical nuance, so it is more common in written descriptions or poetic speech than in casual daily conversation.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 杼 (shuttle) and 杼 (a type of tree), though the pronunciation and meaning are distinct in classical contexts. In modern usage, avoid using it as a literal noun for a tool, as native speakers will likely not recognize the technical term for a loom part.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
